Letters to the editor: Say no to semi tractor-trailer training on Route 6

The Milford Township planning ordinance for projects that have only a “minor impact” on the community is very clear. Here is one section (article 308.1(D): The proposed activity must not:

Cause a nuisance to surrounding property owners,Adversely impact the peace, health or safety of neighborhood residents, orCause a deviation from the character of the neighborhood

This could not be clearer. Yet when presented with a proposal that would create a facility for training new semi tractor-trailer drivers and include the presence of large trucks on a wooded lot next to residential homes and yards, the Zoning Officer of Milford Township did not speak to a single resident who might be impacted by this project. This despite the fact that it would involve noise, pollution, potential fuel storage and leaks, additional truck activity on Route 6, destruction of trees and other plants, as well as of habitats of numerous wild animals. Further, this lot sits atop the same Milford aquifer and Sawkill creek that were threatened by a similar warehouse construction project only yards away from the newly proposed project.

In light of the tragic death caused by an out-of-control semi tractor-trailer on the Route 6 hill into Milford only weeks ago, Milford Township can ill-afford to be putting more novice tractor-trailer drivers on Route 6—on the same hill outside of Milford Boro. To say nothing of the legal liability of such a project if another tragedy were to occur.

Further, this was not approved by the Township Supervisors who assumed (in the minutes of its July 11 meeting) that the project would not meet the requirements of “minor impact” and would require a “conditional use” permit because of its tractor-trailer components.

We neighbors are not against all development, but are simply asking in the name of transparency that the Township’s ordinances be adhered to and they be consulted before disruptive projects are approved. We own/reside next to the proposed tractor-trailer site and trust the Supervisors will act responsibly and challenge this “minor impact” permit—or at least ask for comments from the public.

Ed Gragert and Juan Valdez
Milford Township